UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed hope that his upcoming visit to China will contribute to a strengthened partnership between China and the world body.

In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Ban said that China, as one of the permanent members of the Security Council, "has been paying important contributions to all the agendas of the United Nations."

"I am going to discuss with the Chinese leadership on furthering an even stronger partnership between the United Nations and China," Ban said.

The secretary-general is scheduled to visit China on July 1-3 at the invitation of the Chinese government.

Ban spoke highly of China's participation in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance, commending the Chinese government for "a very active role and contribution" in the search for a solution to Sudan's Darfur issue.

China has dispatched engineers, he said, adding that the Chinese government has recently agreed to relocate an engineering team from southern Sudan to Darfur. "This is very much appreciated."

He also affirmed China's "very significant role" in urging the Sudanese government to listen to outside opinion by appointing a special envoy on the Darfur issue. "I hope China will continue to play such a role," he said.

The UN chief expressed appreciation of the relief efforts by the Chinese government following the May 12 earthquake in China's Sichuan province.

China has shown "examples" of how a nation should address natural disasters, he said. "These kinds of lessons or experiences can also be shared by other countries," he told Xinhua.

China has more to share with other countries, including its experience of rapid economic development, according to the UN chief.

On China's preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ban said "the Chinese people should be very proud of what you have done in preparing for the Olympic Games."

"I am quite convinced that this Olympic Games will be one of the most successful in the history of the Olympic Games," he said.

On climate change Ban said, "The Chinese government has taken many national initiatives that we welcome very much," hoping China, as the most populous nation, will make greater contributions in the future.

Climate change is a global issue that needs the participation and contributions by all countries, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2008)